PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa has pulled the State government for failing to complete the installation of digital meters for taxis despite giving various assurances and deadlines to the court that it will be done.
Hearing a contempt petition filed by the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa which had originally filed a petition back in 2016 and based on which the Goa government had pledged to have the meters installed in the year 2020, the Court while expressing its displeasure gave the government ‘one final chance’ to set things right and posted the matter for June 14.
Arguing for the TTAG, Adv N Sardesai told the court that its orders regarding the installation of digital meters were not being complied with.
“According to us, this work of installing digital meters in taxis should have been completed long ago not only in terms of the directions issued by us but also the assurances given in the contempt proceedings. The implementation of our orders cannot be postponed or for that matter avoided based upon the reason now stated,” the High Court said.
The Advocate General had told the court that some difficulties have arisen on account of the Covid-19 pandemic situation especially since the contractor's Nodal Officer who was dealing with the State Government has passed away and therefore, there is a delay.
The Advocate General had earlier told the court that the notification regards the fare rates will be issued by the State Government within a period of 15 days i.e. sometime in the first week of February 2020.
The statement was made that no sooner this notification was issued, the installation of digital meters in taxis will commence.
“Notwithstanding the aforesaid statement, notification regarding the fare rates was issued only on 14.01.2021 i.e. after a delay of almost one year. None of the contemnors even bothered to seek any extension of time from this Court. Further, despite issuance of this notification, no steps were taken for installation of digital meters in taxis,” the High Court said.
“We give the State Government yet another opportunity to commence the process of installation of digital meters in taxis as early as possible and in any case within a period of 15 days from today,” the High Court said.
The High Court will take up the matter next on June 14 after the vacation by which time the state government is expected to file an affidavit indicating the status including the details of taxis where the digital meters have been installed.
